State: Weak November job numbers show unemployment increase

New federal data show Illinois gained only 400 jobs in November, and its unemployment rate rose to 5.7 percent.

Illinois’ November jobs report showed renewed labor-market weakness, with a meager net gain of 400 payroll jobs on the month, while the unemployment rate rose to 5.7 percent from 5.4 percent. The gain of 400 payroll jobs in November was offset by the downward revision of Illinois’ October jobs number by 400, leaving the state with no net jobs gain on the report. Illinois’ labor force grew, but the increased labor force was almost entirely accounted for by an increase in the number of people who are unemployed, according to new household survey data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS.

Illinois’ 400 net jobs gain on the month was the result of some sectors gaining jobs and others losing jobs. Illinois gained payroll jobs in other services (+2000); trade, transportation and utilities (+1,200); leisure and hospitality (+900); financial activities (+100) and government (+100). Job losses came in construction (-1,500); professional and business services (-1,200); education and health services (-1,100); and manufacturing (-100) according to the November jobs report from the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

The BLS household survey showed that Illinois’ workforce grew by 21,700 in November, driven by an increase in 18,200 Illinoisans who report being unemployed. The number of Illinoisans working also grew by 3,500 on the month. The significant increase in the count of unemployed Illinoisans drove the state’s unemployment rate to 5.7 percent from 5.4 percent.

The growth in Illinois’ labor force resulted in Illinois’ labor-force participation rate climbing to 64.8 percent in November from 64.6 percent in October.

Regional comparisons

Most states surrounding Illinois experienced moderate jobs growth in November, with Wisconsin showing significant job losses on the month. On the year-to-date comparison, Illinois’ smaller neighboring states have all outperformed the Land of Lincoln for jobs growth.

Illinois’ job-creating sectors have added a net 20,200 total jobs thus far in 2015, while Iowa has seen a net of 25,600 new jobs; Missouri, 24,200; Kentucky, 32,500; Wisconsin, 26,900; Indiana, 51,900; and Michigan, 61,600 new jobs on net for the first 11 months of 2015.

Illinois lost another 100 manufacturing jobs on net in November and had its October manufacturing jobs number revised downward by 300. Surrounding states generally shed manufacturing jobs on the month, although Michigan gained manufacturing jobs. Illinois has lost 14,500 manufacturing jobs on net during the first 11 months of 2015, compared with 3,800 such jobs gained in Wisconsin, 7,800 gained in Indiana, 11,800 gained in Ohio, and 19,600 gained on net in Michigan during this time. Combined, the other four Great Lakes manufacturing states have added a net of 43,000 manufacturing jobs in 2015, while Illinois has lost 14,500 on

Combined, the other four Great Lakes manufacturing states have added a net of 43,000 manufacturing jobs in 2015, while Illinois has lost 14,500 on net.